Communique from the Annual General Meeting of Micronic Laser Systems AB (publ.)

Communiqué from the Annual General Meeting of Micronic Laser Systems AB (publ.) Täby, Sweden, March 14, 2001 - Micronic Laser Systems AB (OM Stockholm Exchange: MICR), is a leading supplier of semiconductor and display laser pattern generators for the production of photomasks to the world wide industries. Address by Bert Jeppsson, President and CEO: Bert Jeppsson opened with a presentation on the 2000 fiscal year. The record order intake was due to the market recovery in Asia, combined with Micronic's entry into the semiconductor market and amounted to MSEK 759 (292), an increase of 160 percent. Orders were booked for a total of 18 (9) systems in 2000. The closing order book amounted to MSEK 307 (210), all of which is expected to be delivered in 2001. Net sales increased strongly by 231 percent to MSEK 704 (213). 17 (7) systems, of which 2 upgrades were delivered in 2000. Expenses related to R&D accelerated and amounted to MSEK 191 (69). Profit after financial items amounted to MSEK 90 (profit -73). The number of employees increased by 98 to a total of 304 at the end of the year. Address by Sven Löfquist, new President and CEO: Sven Löfquist, new President and CEO spoke about Micronic's market and business. In the early part of 2001, certain production slots will be used for Sigma systems to secure volume installation during 2002. This implies that sales during the first half of 2001 will be soft. The Board of Directors presently estimates that sales in 2001 will show a continued strong growth, profit will therefore develop in a similar way as last year and thus be negative for the first quarter. However, for the full year the operating margin will be in line with our long- term financial goals. Dividend The Annual General Meeting resolved that no dividend be paid for the 2000 fiscal year. Board and auditors The members of the Board and the President were discharged from liability for the 2000 fiscal year. At the Annual General Meeting, the members of the Board were re-elected: Bert Jeppsson Christer Zetterberg Millert Carlsson Hans Fletcher Magnus Ryde Sven Löfquist and Lars Öjefors were elected as new members. The General Meeting appointed auditor Per Fridolin as ordinary auditor alongside Anders Östberg, both from Lindebergs Grant Thornton AB. At the Board meeting held after the General Meeting, Bert Jeppsson was elected as executive chairman. Employee share options The meeting resolved to issue debentures with separable options providing the right to subscribe for 600,000 shares in the company. The right to subscribe for the debentures devolves upon the company's fully- owned subsidiary Micronic Treasury AB, which is to separate out the option rights and then offer employees within the Micronic Group the opportunity to acquire or earn these in accordance with an allocation plan established by the Board. About Micronic Laser Systems AB Micronic Laser Systems is a Swedish high-tech company engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of a series of extremely accurate laser pattern generators for the production of photomasks. The technology involved is known as microlithography. Micronic's systems are used by the world's leading electronics companies in the manufacture of television and computer displays, semiconductor circuits and semiconductor packaging components. Micronic is located in Täby, north of Stockholm and at present has subsidiaries in the United States and Japan and a service office in Taiwan. Micronic's net sales for 2000 amounted to MSEK 704 (MSEK 213 in 1999) and the company has 304 employees. Micronic maintains a web-site at: www.micronic.se. Company Contact: Agency Contact: Sven Löfquist Dylan McGrath President & CEO The Loomis Group, Inc. +46 8 638 52 00 +1 415 882-9494 sven.lofquist@micronic.se dylan@loomisgroup.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/03/14/20010314BIT00320/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/03/14/20010314BIT00320/bit0002.pdf